I've been a mom for over 30 years, but with 10 kids and six grandchildren, I'm still learning as I go! I've got hundreds of articles on common sense motherhood, spiritual inspiration, practical homemaking, and more. All the answers? No way! Something to think about? I hope so! Join me!

Pages

Friday, August 22, 2014

The Gift of Solitude

The Gift of Solitude

A week ago, I had a gift of
solitude for the better part of a day…

Summer break is over, so last
week four of my children started their public school year. The only one doing
home school this year is my youngest daughter, who is 9. It’s a lot quieter around the house during
the day! One of my adult daughters
offered to take her little sister to Disney World as a belated birthday
present. (As an employee, she can take her in for free.)

Wow! A day to myself with no
kids around the house! I know how quickly those can get squandered so I tried
to plan out my day ahead of time. Maybe I would spend half the day cleaning
house and half the day reading and writing. Or, better yet, maybe I could go
away for a little silent retreat to a quiet place with no Internet or clutter
or people to distract me? Unfortunately, I didn’t know of a place I could do
that. That is, until another adult daughter called and asked if I could babysit
her three month old son for several hours. Ah, that was it! She has a lovely
apartment, and I would be there by myself with a napping baby. So there we have
it.

I arrived around 9:30 AM
after running some errands, including buying myself some goodies for snacks and lunch. My grandson didn’t really wake up until the
afternoon, and even then he was a pretty chill kid and ready to cuddle.

I had
about four hours to read my Bible, write in my journal, pray, and call a
mentor. Before I started, I texted a handful of friends and asked them to pray
for me that my time would be fruitful. They were all delighted to participate.

I marveled at how things
worked out just right, and I thanked God for the gift of solitude to this tired mom who still wants to grow.

At the top of a journal page,
I wrote, “Clarity and Wisdom Retreat.” That was my goal – to hear from God and
get guidance for the coming days and years. As it turned out, I spent most of
my time reading and reflecting on Psalms 50-63 about being responsive and reverent to God.

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you will honor me…
He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I
may show him the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:15, 23

“Create in me a pure heart, O
God, and renew a steadfast spirit in me… Restore to me the joy of your
salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” Psalm 51:10,12

“But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God. I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and
ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will
hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”
Psalm 52:8-9

“Cast your cares upon the
Lord, and he will sustain you…” Psalm
55:22a

“For you have delivered my
soul from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the
light of life.” Psalm 56:13

“For great is your love,
reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” Psalm 57:10

“Their venom is like the
venom of a snake, like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears, that will not
heed the tune of the charmer, however skillful the enchanter may be.” Psalm
58:4-5

“For the sins of their
mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride… But I
will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you
are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” Psalm 59:12, 18

“For you have heard my vows,
O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.” Psalm 61:5

“O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry
and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and
beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips
will glorify you.” Psalm 63:1-3

Did my whole life become
clear for me? Not hardly. But I feel like I have enough light for the path
right in front of me, and enough faith to keep following Jesus. That's enough for me.

2 comments:

There is nothing better than what I call a "Jesus date". Just like time with a spouse alone is so important in a marriage, we need time alone with Jesus to develop that heart intimacy we so desperately need. I'm so glad you had a wonderful Jesus date! (your grandson is adorable by the way!)